Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-11-25
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

most important that ever assembled
under our form of Government.
Never before has a similar cOntin-
gency existed where the party in
power propose to elect Speaker
whose right to a seat is very ques-
tionable, and will be most seriously
contested. There are numerous
indications to strengthen the be-
lief that the Administration intends
to bold tight rein, and needs just
such a man as Mr.. Carlisle in the
chair to effectually carry out the
programme. The possibility that
the election of the President may
be thrown into the House, renders
the organization of that body of
the utmost importance. While the
Republicans have a majority OF
the States in the House, the Dem
ocrats have a majority of the mem
beers. 1t only needs a change Of
two seats to give the democrats a
majority of the States, and Mr..
Carlsle'S committee on elections
will be organized for that purpose.
Indiana, for instance, has seven
Republicans and six Democrats,
and the seat of one of the Republi-
cans is contested. Suppose Car
isles partizan committee seats the
democrat, Indiana then passes into
the democratic column. SO with
California. where there is another
contest, and so with Michigan,
where there are strOng IntimatiOns
that case will be made up. The
Administration is ready to resort
to desperate means to hold its pow
err, and the struggle will be a fierce
one.
Several weeks ago l alluded to
Mr.. Mills, of Texas, a radical free
trader, as the probable chairman of
the committee on Ways and Means.
lie SAYS the question is settled,
and that be has that committee,
which signifies red.hot war on the
present tariff system. | want 20
predict further that il will end IN
bluster, and that after all there will
he no very material changes. The
Democratic party is good on "dress
parade" but sadly deficient in ma
terializing legislation.
During the war you will remem-
Der that a large amount OF paper
fractional currency was issued, and
the books at the Treasury show
that there is still outstanding over
$4,000, 900 OF that currency, though
it was called in more than twelve
years ago. There Is none in circu-
latiOn now, and the question comes
up, where Is 1t? Has it been de-
strOved. or is il held i'm bits by the
people as souvenirs? In this con-
nection it is estimated that 100000
900 of currency is annually destroy
ell by fire and ship wreck, and pos
sibiy there is where this fractional
currency has gone.
Candidates for subordinate Otli-
cial position in the organization of
the next House, are multiply ing
daily. The Southern States are
turing them out by the score, and
one would think from the clamOr
that that is the only section of the
country that can furnish good dem.
ocratic material. They want every.
thing from Clerk to Postmaster.
Northern democrats are Disguised
with their exhibition of arrogance,
and threaten lively times in caucus
iftbis packing process is TO con.
time.
For the past three days there
has been all manner Of rumOrs in
regard to Cabinet changes, but up
to this writing 10 decisive action
The most plausible story rs that
Villas will remain where he Isl
Senator Colquitt, Of Georgia, take
Lamar's place, and Governor Cor
don succeed COlquitt in the Senate
Colquitt is not talking man
Gordon is, and the administration
needs more of that sort in the Sen
ate to meet the Republican giants
TX Secretary Chandler, Of the
Navy. now Senator from New
|, Hampshire, has several big guns
loaded which he will let OF in du'
time about certain naval contracts
under this Administration. Chan
. dlernever talks unless he has some
thing to say, and Secretary Whit
{ ney may have to stand up and ex
plain some very dubious trinsac
tiOns. 1t is understood here tina
Chandler is veil equipped for thu
D aff!ay.
=. In bis annual report, the lnspec
e tor General of steamboats, estlmatel
that during the past year 800, 900,
600 passengers were carried OF
g Steam vessels, and out of that vas
}, aggregate, only 900 lives we're lost
!. This would Indicate steamboats, a
the safest mode of travel.
r Figures at the POstOf6ce Depart
l ment show that the AMOUNT Of mon
: ey sent by money orders and post2
+ notes during the past year Teache
nearly siS9,OOO,OOO.